San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera took to the internet this morning and announced via his Facebook page what many have expected for years – he is running to be mayor.

“I’m running for Mayor to make San Francisco a city that works. I’ve proven my mettle and ability to get the job done,” wrote Herrera (pictured at left) on his personal page. “I hope I can count on your support to make my case to voters: for the strong,
principled, hands-on leadership we need in San Francisco’s next Mayor.”

Herrera also filed his paperwork this morning (Friday, August 27) and launched a campaign website at www.dennisherrera.org. The site is bare bones other than a letter explaining his decision to seek Room 200 in City Hall and a way for supporters to donate to his campaign.

Herrera has served as city attorney for nearly a decade, and during that time, he has made national news through the lawsuits he has pursued, particularly with his office’s successful litigation in state court striking down California’s anti-same-sex marriage statutes.

His office also was part of the Perry vs. Schwarzenegger case that resulted in the recent federal court ruling that Proposition 8, the voter initiative that overturned the state court’s decision in 2008 allowing same-sex couples to marry, was unconstitutional. The case is now on appeal and will be heard by an appellate panel in San Francisco this December.

Herrera is the second person to officially enter the mayoral race. Openly gay Supervisor Bevan Dufty declared his intent to seek the office last year.

Others expected to jump into the race include the city’s two state senators: Mark Leno, who is openly gay, and Leland Yee, who has had a mixed record on LGBT issues while in public office.

The one wild card is who could become interim mayor next January should Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose term doesn’t end until January of 2011, is elected this November as the state’s lieutenant governor.

In that event the Board of Supervisors is tasked with appointing an interim mayor, who ostensibly would have an advantage in the fall election next year. Rumors have been rampant about who the board would pick.

Scenarios being discussed have ranged from current Board President David Chiu having the six votes he needs to become the new mayor to Leno or Yee locking down the votes. Former Board President Aaron Peskin’s name has also been mentioned.

Newsom, though. has thrown another wild card into play by suggesting he might delay moving on to Sacramento in time for the winners of this fall’s supervisor races in the city’s even number districts to be sworn in and have the power to select his replacement.

And should District Attorney Kamala Harris be elected this fall as the state’s next attorney general, it would open up the possibility of seeing Chiu be appointed to fill out the remainder of her term.